Optimistic Raiders put in Day 1 of “long journey”

The Raiders, who had their first practice of camp Friday behind the Napa Valley Marriott, are a happy and positive bunch, almost as much as the other hotel residents who stumble back in after a day of wine-tasting.

Not even the 103-degree heat could dampen the players’ enthusiasm.

“We do feel good about what’s happening on this team,” running back Maurice Jones-Drew said. “We had 100 percent turnout at the (offseason workouts), everyone came back in good shape and passed the conditioning test.

“Guys are hanging out together off the field … We do have a good thing going. But it’s going to be hard. But we know that. We are ready to work.”

Friday’s practice was at half-speed, as routes, assignments and coverage responsibilities were drilled into players’ heads. There was some good pitch and catch going on too, with former Browns receiver Greg Little standing out in 1-on-1 drills.

“We started off well,” coach Dennis Allen said. “It was pretty clean, but obviously there are some things that we will look at on film and get better at. It’s just the first step of a long journey.”

After another warm-up practice Saturday, the players put on pads and go boom for the first time Sunday. Fans aren’t the only ones excited about seeing first-round pick Khalil Mack.

“He’s aggressive, strong and smart,” defensive end LaMarr Woodley said of the linebacker. “I can only imagine what that guy can do when he gets shoulder pads on.”

One interested observer will be third-year general manager Reggie McKenzie, who assembled this team of veteran free agents and first- and second-year players. He gets a kick of all the talk about guys like Jones-Drew, Woodley and Justin Tuck having an edge to them, with something to prove to their former teams.

“You want all the players, rookies too, to have a chip on their shoulder,” McKenzie said. “Whatever motivates them … fine. Put it all on the field and be a productive Ray-duh.”

And yeah, he put the Al Davis intonation on it. (The late Raiders owner had some success bringing in discarded veterans as well.)